Japanese prefectural assemblies face criticism over costly overseas trips

The Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly released detailed expenses for 23 overseas trips made between fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Nineteen of those trips exceeded the standard accommodation allowance, including a night in Cape Town that cost ¥117,000 and a stay in France that cost ¥169,000.

In Oita, the prefectural assembly conducted its first overseas delegation in eight years, sending 22 members to three European countries—France, Switzerland and Germany. The trip cost roughly ¥34 million. Both assemblies have been criticised for the high use of public funds, with local residents questioning the value of the trips. A third‑party committee has been appointed in Fukuoka to investigate the appropriateness of the overseas inspections, and Oita officials say they will report the findings to the public.